Here starts the sequel to Zelda Heroes, based on the game Shadow the Hedgehog. I still own nothing!
Prologue
"Humph," Knil looked at the letters in his hand. How did that blasted postman even find me? He was leaning against the rock wall of Termina Field, near the Observatory. Knil read the names on the letters. Link…Romani…Ganondorf… "Humph," Why would those dullards think to write me? He sighed. What the Dark World? I'll read them. Not like I have anything better to do.
Knil had been wandering around the world for the past five years or so, trying to piece together his past. He now wore a black tunic, as opposed to his red one that he had donned before, and his hair had grown out a little, now going down to the back of his neck and down his forehead, practically threatening his vision.
So far, the hunt had led him through Hyrule, where he had revisited many places, though he hadn't remembered visiting them in the first place, and, eventually, his hunt had led him back to Termina, where he retraced his steps to little effect. So, now, he spent his days drifting around and watching Termina develop into a stronger country. The Town Guard was now large and powerful, the mighty spear of justice in the land. Clock Town had expanded somewhat; now it was a fifteen minute walk to the four regions instead of thirty. Every region, now, had also built up their power as separate states and were forces to be reckoned with greater technology to boot. To top everything off, the Postman was now running around Termina, delivering letters to people and carrying the long-distance ones to Great Bay so that they could be taken over to Hyrule, Labryana, or Holodrum by boat. It was this that led to the Postman cornering Knil the previous day and forcing letters into his hand before running off with his trademark cry of "On to mail!".
Knil tore open Link's letter and flipped the folded paper open.
Hey there, Knil ol' buddy.
Thought you might get lonely with all your anti-social wandering, so I thought I'd drop you a line. Me? I've been wandering around Holodrum. Din's still as lively as ever.
See ya, Link
"Humph," Knil crammed the letter in his satchel and tore open the one from Romani.
Dear Knil,
How have you been? Romani hasn't seen you around lately, but she's heard about you around Clock Town. Feel free to drop by the ranch anytime, Sis would be happy to see you.
Romani
Knil put this away too and looked at the one from Ganondorf. He tore open the black envelope and looked at the hard and messy scrawl on the sheet of Gerudo Desert Papyrus.
Hello, Knil.
It's been a while, hasn't it? I hope you haven't forgotten about me. I just want to tell you that I'm willing to give you a home and job if you want. Just come back to Hyrule and I'll set you right up with that.
Knil pitched this letter behind him with a grunt. Lousy Ganondorf. I will not take part in any of his insipid plans to build his empire…He stopped leaning on the wall and prepared to head somewhere else, glancing up at the overcast sky. Hmm…it may rain soon. I'd better hurry and get somewhere. Suddenly, something loomed over the western horizon. Knil squinted as it headed over at high velocity. What in the name of the Goddesses is that? It continued to fly over Great Bay and crossed Termina Field. Alarm bells began to go off in Clock Town as the object passed over and stopped over the reconstructed clock tower. Is that? Knil clutched his head as it began to ache. Seeing that flying palace brought back some memories that he had lost. He looked back up at the palace and examined it. Yes, that's the Palace of Winds…but why do I remember that?
"People of Termina," a familiar voice came blasting from the palace.
"Vaati?" Knil muttered, brushing his bangs back by reflex.
"As I'm sure you can see, I have a massive hunk of rock attached to the bottom of my palace," the wind mage continued. "In three days, I will drop it with enough force to annihilate Termina if I haven't conquered it by then," Hundreds of dark streaks began to shoot from the palace and land in the city, even as it closed the gates. The wind whistled around violently as Knil eyed the rock attached to the bottom of the palace and the monsters filling Termina Field.
Vaati…trying to conquer the country? Knil found this rather out of character for the thief-mage, but had little time to dwell on it as a massive army of Stalchildren and Stalfos came pouring out of Ikana Canyon and heading for the city. The gates were hurtled down by the attackers as the battle was joined. Rallying, the Town Guard began to push out of the city and fight out in the field in brutal melees, explosions of powder, and volleys of arrows. Knil watched the three armies collide, wondering what was going on.
The undead army…the Town Guard…and the hordes of dark monsters…he shook his head. I'd better check this out. He raced forward and dived off the cliff, drawing his sword in midair and landing with an explosive impact. He charged forward with energy radiating out of his blade and creating a barrier as he sent undead, monster, and soldier flying indiscriminately. "Anti-Energy Cannon!" He cupped his hands together and blew away whatever troops were blocking the way to the east gate of the city.
Gripping his blade, he charged in, ready for battle and whatever else he would find there.
There's the prologue. Just because I'm so nice, I've put up a poll so that you can choose which path he takes first. You can also give your opinion in a review if you can't take the poll. After a couple of days, I might just decide on my own, so make sure you speak up.